Lightning fast safety tips

"Did you hear that," my son asked while peeking from the doorway of his bedroom, his lip quivering and his eyes wide.

"Did you hear that," my son asked while peeking from the doorway of his bedroom, his lip quivering and his eyes wide.

It would have been difficult for me not to hear it. The crack of thunder had sounded like it was in our driveway. My other child peeked her head out and said "That sounded like a bomb."

It had sounded really close to our house and it was a pretty intense storm. So I invited both kids to hang out downstairs until it was over, or at least farther away. One of them didn't need a second invitation. The other one looked at me and said, "But, what about Sydney? I don't want anything to happen to Sydney." So the invitation was extended to his pet as well.

Next thing I knew both kids and the bearded dragon were hanging out with me in the living room. The cats had already found their own hiding places, one under a bed, the other in a closet. It was a far cry from the quiet night of watching "Foyle's War" that I had envisioned. The computer was shut down, the television was shut off, matches and candles and flashlights had been located just in case and we waited, all four of us, for the storm to end.

Then my son decided he needed to look out the window at the storm. One bolt of lightning in the front yard was all it took to change his mind.

When did we become so out of tune with weather, I have to wonder. We don't usually deal with tornadoes, tsunamis or the like here. Still, as the recent tragedy in Deerfield shows, they're not out of the realm of possibility.

So why are my children surprised when I tell them if there's a storm, they are to get inside immediately? Why does my son see nothing wrong with being on the bank of a pond or across from a stream?

Growing up here, I recall there being a lot of thunderstorms. It was common to hear warnings like: Shut off and unplug all appliances; stay away from the windows; get off the beach and away from water; find shelter — not in a dugout; do not be the tallest object in the middle of an open field; never, never, stand under a tree.

Have we become that complacent? I thought perhaps it was just a matter of him being young and not knowing any better, until I woke up to hear about the 10 people struck by lightning in Dorchester, Mass. My first reaction was disbelief. After all, how can 10 people be struck by lightning? Then I heard that they had been out on a field and all sought shelter under a tree. The same tree. When the tree was struck, so were they.

In case you've forgotten thunderstorm safety, or perhaps never learned it, here's a refresher from information found at the National Weather Service's Web site: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

If you're indoors:

n Stay off any corded phones.

n Stay away from windows and doors.

n Stay off porches.

n Do not lie on the concrete floor of a garage. It could contain a wire mesh.

n Stay away from concrete walls as well as they could contain metal reinforcing bars.

n Avoid contact with plumb ing: Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, do not do laundry.

n If you're planning on unplugging appliances, do so well before the storm arrives.

If you're outdoors:

n Seek safe shelter when you first hear thunder, see darkening clouds or lightning.

n Stay inside until 30 minutes after you last hear thunder.

n If you're in a group, the entire group needs to be in a safe place when the approaching storm reaches within five miles of your location.

Risk reduction

If you cannot find a safe shelter indoors the NWS recommends significantly reducing your risk while outdoors with the warning that there is no safe place outdoors. The best place to be during a storm is inside.

n Do not seek shelter under a tree as doing so will significantly increase your chance of being struck by lightning.

n Do not seek shelter under partially enclosed buildings

n Stay away from tall, isolated objects. Lightning typically strikes the tallest object. That may be you in an open field or clearing.

n Know the weather patterns of the area. For example, in mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically develop in the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and be down the mountain by noon.

n Know the weather forecast. If there is a high chance of thunderstorms, curtail your outdoor activities.

n Stay away from metal objects, such as fences, poles and backpacks. Metal is an excellent conductor.

n If lightning is in the immediate area, and there is no safe location nearby, stay at least 15 feet apart from other members of your group so the lightning won't travel between you if hit. If you can possibly run to a vehicle or building, do so. Sitting or crouching on the ground is not safe and should be a last resort.

If you think you're overreacting, this year alone, according to the NWS site, 23 people have been killed by lightning. In 2007, 45 people were killed. Of those, 98 percent were outside, 89 percent were male, 25 percent were standing under a tree and 25 percent occurred on or near the water.

After the first storm, everyone headed back upstairs and to bed. My son returned a half-asleep Sydney to his cage and then returned to his doorway to proclaim:

"You know I really wasn't scared, right? You do know that? I wasn't scared at all."

Sure, he wasn't.

Parentista Christine French thinks we've had more than enough thunderstorms this summer. Share your tales of parenting with her at cfrench@seacoastonline.com or visit her and fellow Parentista Karen Dandurant at www.seacoastparentsconnect.com.

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